South Campus Art Festival raises scholarship funds

 

Student artist Viridiana Navarro showcases her painting on the first day of the South Campus Fine Arts Festival March 26. Photo by Carrie Duke / The Collegian
Student artist Viridiana Navarro showcases her painting on the first day of the South Campus Fine Arts Festival March 26. Photos by Carrie Duke / The Collegian


By Anderson Coleman / Entertainment Editor

South Campus’ Fine Arts Festival March 26-27 showcased artwork from sculptures to painting and gave students the opportunity to display and see their work.

Art instructor Earline Green said the festival was inspired by a video produced in the ceramics studio for students enrolled in the Women in New Roles program.

“When the video was mentioned at one of the WINR monthly meetings, it was met with enthusiasm by members wanting to know more about what was going on in the art complex,” she said. “As the sponsor of the ceramic arts team and club, I saw this as an opportunity to invite the campus into our studio.”

Green said she was thankful to Triesha Light and the WINR organization for encouraging this event and thought students learned from this experience.

“I am deeply grateful to my fine arts colleagues for their enthusiasm and their support,” she said. “Students will learn that the process does not end with the completion of the piece, and they will learn the importance of the promotional phase as well. But most of all, it stimulates their creative thinking through real-time problem-solving.”

Art associate professor Paul Benero said students who participated in this festival gained the knowledge and experience of what it is like to create and sell original works of art.

Jewelry created by Catherine Brown was made by hand.
Jewelry created by Catherine Brown was made by hand.

“A lot of our students have never had experience as commercial artists, and this venue will allow them the opportunity to sell and showcase their artwork,” he said.

Benero said the campus, including TCC students, benefits by having a fine arts festival.

“This is the peak season for art festivals, and being a college student, you seldom have enough time or funds to enjoy many of the local art festivals in and around the DFW area,” he said. “This allows those that cannot get out during this season to enjoy an art festival while still being on campus.”

Benero said the fine arts festival helped to bring much-needed fun to the campus, and students from all disciplines enjoyed the sights and sounds of an art festival.

Instructor Kara English said the festival is meant to raise money for scholarships.

“Our art club had over $100 donated,” she said. “We are selling really well to benefit more for the sale of the art show.”

English said more than 200 entries were entered in the arts festival this year.

Student attendee Rachel Benavides said the art festival seemed to be going really well.

“As long as students come this way toward the Fine Arts building, then everything should be good,” she said.